HISTORY OF BRITH SHOLOM KNESETH ISRAEL – ( updated July 22, 1994)
The first building (education center) of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel (BSKI) was built at 1107 Linden Avenue in Richmond Heights, Missouri, and was dedicated on the 5th of June, 1960. The building was named for Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur, who served the Synagogue for many years. The dedication took place a few months after the merger of the two Congregations - Brith Sholom and Kneseth Israel. The merged Congregations then consisted of about 500 families, 400 from Brith Sholom and 100 from Kneseth Israel. Let’s start with the smaller of the two Synagogues, Kneseth Israel.

 

In the mid 1930s, the Jewish merchants/salesman who worked along the Washington Avenue wholesale garment district in downtown St. Louis, all knew each other well and stuck close together. They had an organization of salesmen who gathered together for daily minyans. Some of the salesmen had their widowed fathers living with them and supported them. The fathers needed a place to say Kaddish. Nolan Dewoskin said that his father-in-law, Ben Reuben, had died and he wanted to say Kaddish. Nolan was living on Rosebury in Clayton and needed a convient place, close-by to pray before going to work.  And to remedy this situation, he found an empty store on Rosebury near DeMun Ave. in Clayton. A group of fathers went to their sons and asked them to put up $1 or $2 each to rent the store front on Demuan for thier daily Minyans. They had prayer books and chairs donated; and also decided to organize a congregation. They formed an official charter and called their congregation Kneseth Israel. They had membership cards printed, and the salesmen went up and down Washington Avenue to solicit memberships at $2-$3 per year. Many salesmen joined because it was an “almost” free Shul, paid for by the salesmen of Washington Avenue.

 

Other Jews outside of Washington Avenue started attending to the new Shul. As the congregation grew, the membersneeded to expand theior capacity. So they knocked out walls to expand into the adjacent store. Leroy Kopolow, President of Kneseth Israel in 1953-54, tells us that he started attending the minyan in 1947 to say Kaddish for his father. There was no offical Rabbi. Reverend Fleigstein (rabbis were often referred to as "Reverend" back then) led the services.

 

Morris Bean was an active leader. The leader was also called “Baal Tefilla”, one who could Daven, had a good voice and could lead services. A Mr. Sorkin was also an active member. He was a very religious orthodox Jew with a wonderful memory. “Three Sachs brothers were involved. They were Harvey, who ““ran the show,” Irving, the financial genius and Ben, the youngest brother. Ben is the only one living today. At that time, 17th and Biddle Street was a kind of Jewish Ghetto.

 

As time passed, more and more people became interested in Kneseth Israel and it eventually developed into a more conventional Congregation. Expenses were kept low as no one was paid to conduct services. The job of “Para Rabbi” was passed around among the active members. Funds were accumulated over time.

 

In the early 1950s, The Kneseth Israel congregation purchased an old school building on 4 acres at 700 South Hanley in Clayton. Charles Binowitz became President in 1959. The membership consisted mostly of businessmen, so they were able to run the Synagogue in a prudent manner. No one was paid to conduct services and few funds were going out. They were one of the few congregations in St. Louis without a mortgage or debt.

 

In 1960, Kneseth Israel negotiated a merger with Brith Sholom to become Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel. Brith Sholom had decided to move from its Delmar location to Richmond Heights (less than a mile from the Kneseth Israel) It didn’t make sense to have two Congregations that close - “didn’t need two Synagogues on an island.” Kneseth Israel sold the property on Hanley, as well as its cemetery and brought $35,000 to the joint Congregation. At that time, Brith Sholom was making plans to move from Delmar with their new Rabbi, Benson Skoff. Rabbi Rivkin was with Keneseth Israel at the time of the merger. He had come to St. Louis from New York and was with Kneseth Israel for two years. Kopolow’s son was Bar Mitzvahed by him Rivkin moved to Seattle and later returned to St. Louis as Chief Rabbi. The Kneseth Israel had been part Orthodox, with separate seating but no divider.

 

Rabbi Sholom Rivkin, 1926-2011
Rabbi Rivkin served Congregation Nusach H'Ari beginning in December, 1948. He served Congregation Knesseth Israel, St. Louis, Missouri for over 5 years (1954-1959). Rivkin was the Chief Orthodox Rabbi in St. Louis for over 22 years (1983-2005). Later health problems prevented him from continuing in this roll. He is listed along with other rabbis who served St. Louis congregations. You can find the full list at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS.
_________________________

Rabbi Sholom Rivkin, who died Saturday, October 1, 2011, was the last chief rabbi in St. Louis and the United States. As word spread of his death, he was being mourned worldwide.

He was well-versed and an expert in all areas of Jewish law with specialized knowledge in the laws of Gittin (Jewish Divorce). He was consulted for decisions on Jewish Law and advice in daily matters by both laymen and prominent Rabbis as well as Rabbinical courts around the world. The position of chief rabbi is somewhat akin to that of a chief judge. It was a holdover practice brought to the United States during the 1800s by Orthodox Jews from Europe. St. Louis was the last American city with a chief rabbi.

Until he retired in 2005, Rabbi Rivkin headed the Vaad Hoeir in St. Louis, the governing body under which the chief rabbi was the sole authority on questions of Jewish law, education, religious divorce and dietary practices. "It's been a very heavy responsibility being the decider," he told the Post-Dispatch in 1998.

Rabbi Rivkin died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2011) at McKnight Place Extended Care in University City. He was 85 and had lived with Parkinson's disease for about seven years, said his daughter, Jacqueline Rivkin of New York.

Although he was often called upon to judge religious matters, "he wasn't a person who judged" others, his daughter said.

"He wanted people to love each other," she said. "And he was extraordinarily brilliant."

He often broke new Jewish legal ground. In the 1980s his decision to allow a St. Louis Jewish woman to undergo in vitro fertilization influenced Jewish legal thought on bioethics.

Rabbi Rivkin came from a long line of rabbis - he was the 40th generation, according to the family's count.

He was born in Jerusalem of Russian parents who had fled the czar's pogroms.

When he was 3, the family fled again, this time to New York, after Arab riots and the massacre of Jews in the old Palestine.

Rabbi Rivkin's father Rabbi Moshe Duber Rivkin was a dean of a yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 1928 or 1929 they were in desperate need of funds. The elder Rivkin was asked to travel to the United States for a while, with the intention of returning to Jerusalem, in order to raise desperately needed funds for the yeshiva. While he was in the United States (because of his reputation as a great scholar and a pedagogue of tremendous quality) he was offered a Mesivta Torah Vodaarh (or Mesivta Rabbinical Seminary) of Brooklyn, New York, which was then in its early years, to serve on its staff as a Rosh Yeshiva and later as principal. Since the original purpose of his temporary visit to the United States was to raise funds, he consulted with his Rebbe, the 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Joseph Isaac Schneersohn, of blessed memory, and asked if he should accept the offer or not. The Rebbe answered in the afirmative, that he should remain in the United States. In 1929 his wife and two children (Rabbi Sholom Rivkin and his sister) came to the United States to rejoin the elder Rivkin and settle in Brooklyn. Also, the elder Rivkin did not leave Russia to avoid arrest as was stated before but, rather, was sent to Jerusalem, Palestine, by the 6th Lubavitcher Rebbe to serve as dean of Yeshiva Toras Emeth of Jerusalem.
(NOTE: part of the content of this paragraph contributed by and corrected by Rabbi Sholom Rivkin's son, Rabbi Ben Zion Rivkin in 2013)

Rabbi Rivkin first moved to St. Louis in 1948 when he was 22 years old.
He was rabbi until 1959 of the old Nusach Hari Congregation here. He also was chaplain at the Veterans Hospital at Jefferson Barracks and a teacher and assistant principal at Epstein Hebrew Academy.

He met his future wife, the former Paula Zuckerman of Buffalo, N.Y., on a blind date and they married in 1954.

They moved to Seattle in 1959 where he was rabbi of the largest Orthodox synagogue in the Pacific Northwest. A decade later, they moved to Queens, N.Y., where he became rabbi of Young Israel of Wavecrest and Bayswater.

In 1983, he was named chief rabbi in St. Louis of the United Orthodox Jewish Community-Vaad Hoeir - which means "Council of the City or Community." It was an umbrella organization to assure the standards of Jewish dietary and other laws were kept in the community.

Orthodox Judaism is the smallest and strictest branch of the religion.

Rabbi Rivkin later was given the title of chief rabbi for life. But in 2005, illness forced him to retire and he was named chief rabbi emeritus.

By his count, Rabbi Rivkin was the fourth chief rabbi in St. Louis and he has not been replaced; the St. Louis Rabbinical Council assumed his duties.

As chief rabbi, he was consulted on questions of Jewish law here and abroad.

"His name and his word were gold - that's how renowned he was," said Rabbi Menachem Greenblatt, a friend and rabbi at Agudas Israel Synagogue in University City.

As chief rabbi, Rabbi Rivkin presided over the Rabbinical Court in St. Louis, supervised kosher issues, and was one of the few rabbis in the United States qualified to perform a religious divorce for Jews - known as a "get."

He once traveled to Russia when no rabbi was available there to perform religious divorces.

"Right now, St. Louis does not have any rabbi qualified to perform that service," Greenblatt said.

Paula Rivkin died Jan. 7 of pancreatic cancer at age 78. She was an advocate for women and helped establish the Jewish Council Against Family Violence.

Both Rivkins were naturalized Americans.

Rabbi Rivkin will be buried at the ancient Mount of Olives Cemetery in Jerusalem after three memorial services: the first was Sunday in St. Louis, the second was Monday in New York and the third will be today in Jerusalem.

In addition to his daughter, survivors include his son, Rabbi Ben Rivkin of Chesterfield; a sister, Ella Shurin of New York City; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 4, 2011, ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
Published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch on October 3, 2011

 

Rabbi Adolf A. Rosentreter, 1858-1930
Rabbi Rosentreter served Congregation B'nai Amoona, St. Louis, Missouri for over 20 years (1885-1912). He also served as rabbi at Brith Sholom for 20 years (1910-1930). On March 17, 1930 Rabbi Mazur succeeds Rabbi Adolph Rosentreter, who had been officiating for a number of years, but on account of ill health was unable to perform his spiritual duties. He was elected Rabbi Emeritus. The announcement of the election was made by J. D. Gross, president.

Rabbi Jacob Rueban Mazur, 1891-1958

Rabbi Jacob Rueben Mazur assumed spiritual leadership of Brith Sholom on June 1, 1930. His advent marked the beginning of a period of unprecedented change and unity. The first Bat Mitzvah was of Tina Zorensky at the Delmar location. During this period the Rose Fischmann Library was started; Sylvin Robinson organized a baseball team; the sisterhood and men's club came into being. And, step by step, the late Friday night service came about, Yiddish sermons became English sermons and separate seating became mixed seating.

Rabbi Mazur was born in Poland and later lived in South Africa and came to the US in 1912. He received his early education under the famous Rabbis in Slabadka and graduated from Dr. Bender's Theological Seminary in Capetown, South Africa. He continued his studies at Dr. Schecters' Seminary and at Cornell University.

Rabbi Mazur served Congregation Brith Sholom as senior rabbi for over 28 years (1930-1958) and he is listed along with other rabbis who served St. Louis congregations. The full list can be found at SAINT LOUIS RABBIS.

1914 - Married Miss Edith Frankel, daughter of Rabbi David Frankel.
1910 - Graduated high school from Dr. Render's Seminary, Cape Town, South Africa.
1912 - Yeshivah in Hamar, Galicia, Norway Rabbi Ordination (Semikhah)
1912 - Came to the United States, Congregation Anshay Levitz, New York City
Congregation Anshay Sochotchov, New York City
Rabbi Ordination (Semikhah) from both
1913 - Congregation Dukler Mogain Abraham, New York City
Rabbi Ordination (Semikhah)
1914 - Married Miss Edith Frankel, daughter of Rabbi David Frankel
1914 - Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Studied under Dr. Schmitt, Professor and Instructor of Medieval Jewish Philosophy and Semitic culture.
1914-1921 - Congregation Hebrew Free School, Tampa, Florida
Served as pulpit rabbi - congregation in Montgomery, Alabama
1921-1930 - Senior Rabbi - Agudath Achim Congregation, East St. Louis, IL
March 15, 1930 - Jewish Theological Seminary (JTA)
March 17, 1930 - Senior Rabbi, Brith Sholom Congregation, St. Louis, MO
1930-1959 - Senior Rabbi, Brith Sholom Congregation, St. Louis, MO
Rabbi Mazur succeeds Rabbi Adolph Rosentreter, who had been officiating for a number of years, but on account of ill health has been unable to perform his spiritual duties. He was elected rabbi emeritus. The announcement of the election was made by J. D. Gross, president.

 

25TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO RABBI MAZUR
Brith Sholom Special Program - 1955
Courtesy of Rabbi Mazur's daughter Naomi Silvermintz
Reproduced with Permission

"OUR RABBI WHO, FOR TWO DECADES AND A HALF, TAUGHT US TO DO MORE THAN LIVE AND LET LIVE--BUT TO LIVE AND HELP LIVE."

Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur came to the Brith Sholom Congregation from Agudath Achim Congregation, East St. Louis, Illinois, where he served at the spiritual leader for nine years.

Our Rabbi was born in Poland. He attended several Yeshives up to his Bar Mitzvah. (Macavah, Lomzah, and Kovnah). At the age of 13, he with his parents, Rabbi M. L. Mazur went to South Africa where his father served a Congregation in De-Parl, Cape Province. There he graduated High School and entered Dr. Render's Seminary in Cape Town, where from he graduated in 1910. He went to Europe to complete his studies and received his ordination (Smicha) from the Dean of the Yeshivah in Hamar Galicia, Rabbi M. M. Babed.

July 15, 1912, Rabbi Mazur came to the United States. He received another Smicha from Rabbi B. Levy of the Congregation Anshay Levitz and Anshay Sochotchov in New York, also a Smicha from Rabbi DAvid Frankel, 349 East 4th Street of Congregation Dukler Mogain Abraham in New York. In 1914, Rabbi Mazur married Miss Edith Frankel, the daughter of Rabbi David Frankel.

Rabbi Mazur also studied at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, under the famous professor Dr. Schmitt, Professor and Instructor of Medieval Jewish Philosophy and Semitic culture.

1914,- Rabbi Mazur was invited to occupy the pulpit of Congregation Hebrew Free School, Tampa, Florida. There, the Rabbi was instrumental in building a new Conservative Synagogue, Talmud Torah, and Sunday School. From Tampa, Rabbi Mazur was called to Montgomery, Alabama, where he introduced conservative services for the first time to that city. It was in Montgomery where the Rabbi was presented as a gift, the degree of the Shrine.

1921 - Rabbi Mazur was invited to preach on the pulpit in East St. Louis, Illinois, and the Agudath Achim Congregation elected the Rabbi as the spiritual leader of that community, where he served for nine years, putting into practice a co-ordinated program of religious, civil and social activities. Rabbi Mazur was instrumental in the erection of a new Hebrew and Sunday school building. While in East St. Louis, he served as one of the Vice-Presidents of the city-wide scout troups. He was, also, a charter member of the Kiwanis Club. Through his active work in the East St. Louis Zionist Emergency Council, Rabbi Mazur was instrumental in having East St. Louis Jewry play a prominent part in our National Zionistic endeavors.

1930 - Rabbi Mazur was called to the Brith Sholom Congregation to conduct Friday night and Sabbath services in February 1930. It was the wish of Rabbi Mazur that the late Rabbi Rosentreter be elected as Rabbi Emeritus. Unfortunately Rabbi Rosentreter met his Maker on Passover that year, six weeks before Rabbi Mazur took over the Rabbinical duties of the Brith Sholom Congregation.

The first Conservative men's club in the city of St. Louis was organized by Rabbi Mazur in the Brith Sholom Congregation. He, also, inaugurated the first Sunday school in the Brith Sholom Congregation and a Parent Teachers Organization. Mrs. Mazur organized the Daughters of Brith Shalom, which has grown into one of the most active Woman's Organizations in the city.

Rabbi Mazur has completely transformed the Brith Sholom Congregation. And, through his initiative, the Congregation membership increased from one hundred members to almost three hundred families. At his insistence the entire interior of the synagogue was renovated, a new Chapel was added, and a building was purchased on Washington Avenue for temporary Hebrew and Sunday School use At present, the Congregation is in search of a new site for a Brith Sholom Center.

Rabbi Mazur organized the following Sunday schools during the past years: Collinsville, IL; Granite City, IL; Belleville, IL; Cape Girardeau, MO. He dedicated the cornerstone of the Synagogue in the Tri Cities, IL. He also dedicated that Synagogue.

Rabbi Mazur has written several newspaper and magazine articles. He contributed many articles to the Modern View and the Jewish Post. Rabbi Mazur is now the President of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association.

Rabbi Mazur, five years ago, inaugurated the first services to be conducted weekly, at the State Sanitarium on Arsenal Street. These services are being held every Tuesday morning from ten to eleven. These services are now under the auspices of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association and are being conduced alternately by the various Rabbis of the Association.

It is with a deep sense of appreciation that we, the officers, members and friends of the Brith Sholom Congregation give this testimonial in honor of our leader and friend, Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur. We trust that he will continue to guide and lead us to even greater heights.
(article provided courtesy of Mrs. Saul Silvermintz)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch - December 4, 1958
RABBI JACOB MAZUR'S FUNERAL TOMORROW
CIVIC LEADER – HEADED BRITH SHOLOM CONGREGATION 29 YEARS

Funeral services for Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur, religious and civic leader, will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Brith Sholom Congregation, 6166 Delmar Boulevard, whee he was rabbi for the last 29 years. Burial will be in Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, University City, Missouri.

Rabbi Mazur, 66 years old, died of a cerebral hemorrhage yesterday at Jewish Hospital. He had suffereed a stroke on Nov. 23rd.

Rabbi Mazur was born in Poland and lived for a time in hte Union of South Africa. He served congregations in Tampa Florida, Montgomery, Alabama, and East St. Louis, Illinois before settling here.

The son of a rabbi, he was ordained in Europe. Not long after coming to this country in 1912, Rabbi Mazur married Miss Edith Frankel, daughter of the chief rabbi of New York City.

Rabbi Mazur lived at 6405 Cates Avenue, University City. He was a past president of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association, a 32° Mason, a member of B'nai Brith, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and the Citizens Committee for City-County Cooperation.

He served as chaplain at St. Louis State Hospital where he started Jewish religious services several years ago.

Surviving in addition to his widow are one daughter, Mrs. Saul Silvermintz, and two sons, Dr. Sigmund E. Mazur and Dr. Herbert A. Mazur, all of St. Louis; four sisters, Mrs. Michael Gibson and Miss Bella Mazur of New York; Mrs. Ssm Solomon of Miami, Florida and Mrs. Rebecca Volks of the Union of South Africa; and one brother Sam Mazur of New York.

The body is at the Berger undertaking establishment, 4715 McPherson Avenue.

St. Louis Globe Democrat - December 4, 1958
RABBI MAZUR DIES; 29 YEARS AT B'RITH SHOLOM

Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur, 66, rabbi of B'rith Sholom Congregation, 6166 Delmar Blvd. for the past 29 years, died at 2:45pm yesterday at Jewish Hospital of a cerebral hemorrhage. Hew had suffered a stroke 10 days ago.

Rabbi Mazur, who lived at 6405 Cates Avenue, University City, was a past president of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association and was active in numerous Jewish and civic organizations.

Born in Poland, he came to the United States in 1912. Before coming to St. Louis, he served congregations in Tampa, Florida; Montgomery, Alabama, and East St. Louis.

A thirty-second degree Mason, he was active in the Zionist organization, B'nai B'rith, the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Citizens Committee for City-County Co-operation. He instituted Jewish religious services at St. Louis State Hospital several years ago and served as chaplain there.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Edith Frankel Mazur; one daughter, Mrs. Saul Silvermintz, two sons, Dr. Sigmund E. Mazur and Dr. Herbert A. Mazur, all of St. Louis; one brother, Sam Mazur, New York, and four sisgers: Mrs. Michael Gibson and Miss Bella Mazur of New York; Mrs. Sam Solomon, Miami, Florida, and Mrs. Rebecca Volks of the Union of South Africa.

Funeral services will be held at B'rith Sholom Congregation at 11am tomorrow, with burial in Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery. The body will lie in state at Berger Memorial Funeral Home, 4715 McPherson Avenue, from 8 to 10pm on Friday.

"Zecher Zaddick Lavrocha"--May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing.
J. W. G. (article provided courtesy of Mrs. Saul Silvermintz)

I write these words just a few moments after hearing the sad news of the passing of my good friend and colleague, Rabbi Jacob Mazur.

For twenty-nine years, Rabbi Mazur faithfully served Brith Sholom Congregation and the St. Louis Community. A Past President of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association, it was Rabbi Mazur who initiated the weekly religious services at the St. Louis State Hospital.

This brief recital of bare facts, however, cannot truly convey the deep sense of friendship we shared together. Indeed, there were strong ties of affection and devotion which united Jake Mazur with all his colleagues.

I know that there is always a temptation to be overly generous at such a time as this. Without any fear of exaggeration, however, I can honestly say that I have never known a Rabbi moe sincere than Jacob Mazur--or one with a better heart. He was intrinsically good. He knew no guile. He was a man of great compassion. With his insight and sensitivity to the sufferings of others, it is not surprising that he was the one to initiate weekly visits to the State Hospital. It could not have been anyone else.

In the ten years that I knew Jacob Mazur, I never detected even the slightest spark of envy in his personality. If one of his colleagues achieved some notable distinction or delivered an especially fine message, Jacob Mazur was the first to come forward and offer his congratulations. Nor was it ever an empty gesture. He sincerely meant it.

For me, the memory I will eternally cherish occurred at the Sabbath Service honoring his Twentieth Anniversary in St. Louis. Officially, my only duty was to read a portion of the Service. Unexpectedly, however, the President of the Congregation asked me to confer the Priestly Benediction upon Rabbi Mazur at the conclusion of the Service. I did. Jake Mazur never forgot it and neither will I. So that at my installation banquet, he was delighted when he was granted the opportunity to reciprocate and I was overjoyed.

The richest legacy which Jacob Mazur bequeathes is his family. Which is as it should be, if Judaism means anything at all. It is the strength of the family which is the strength of Judaism. And Jacob Mazur's home was a sanctuary filled with love and devotion. One only had to spend a single evening with him and his family to recognize what kind of a husband and father he was. Once knowing that, it was not difficult to understand why he was such a fine Rabbi, in the best sense of the word.

So to Edith, his lovely wife and one of the nicest women in our community...to his children--Naomi, Sig, and Herb, who already walk in their father's footsteps--I offer my own humble tribute in deepest sympathy. For I have lost one of my best friends.  

"A SCHOLARLY SAINT" Temple Israel Bulletin December, 1958
by Rabbi Ferdinand Myron Isserman

While the sudden shock of Rabbi Jacob R. Mazurs's passing is upon me, it is not easy to adequately to access the meaning of his life. The first thought which comes to my mind is his saintliness. It was he who industriously, indefatigably, and with moving sincerity championed the cause of the most helpless people in the community, the forgotten men and women of the State Mental Hospital on Arsenal Street. He arranged for a religious ministry for its Jewish patients, and when his colleagues in the rabbinate could not fulfill their engagements there, he assumed their responsibilities. Those he served there, the humblest of the humble, found in this sensitive rabbi a staunch champion and a sturdy friend.

Rabbi Mazur, likewise, was a scholar. Ordained by some of the greatest rabbis of our age, he was at home in the various fields of rabbinic lore, and was aware of the message of the rabbis to our time. Judaism to him was not a museum piece, but a faith and an ideal that the world needs today.

He was a warm friend, a helpful colleague, always appreciative, generous in his praise, and stimulating in his conversation and thought.

Never to be forgotten were the evenings at home with his lovely wife of distinguished rabbinic lineage for the rabbis and their families. There, all the tensions of his work would disappear. He gloried in his family, its rich traditions, and his educated children who, in their professional careers, reflected his love for learning and service. Staunch in his religious attitudes, he was sympathetic with and understanding of other points of view. He was beloved in East St. Louis whence he came to our city He was beloved in Brith Sholom, and also throughout the Jewish and general community. His friends in Temple Israel are many, and with me at this hour they feel a deep sense of loss. F. M. I.
(article provided courtesy of Mrs. Saul Silvermintz)
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Rabbi Skoff served Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel, Richmond Heights, Missouri for over 31 years (1960-1991) as its head rabbi. He would later serve as Rabbi Emeritus until his death in 2014 at age 91.

 

Rabbinic Chronology:
1948 - Rabbinic Ordination - Jewish Theological Seminary New York, NY
1949-1952 - Rabbi Congregation Agudas Achim Austin, Texas
1952-1956 - Rabbi - Tifereth Israel Congregation Duluth, Minnesota
1958-1959 - Rabbi - Ahavas Israel Congregation Grand Rapids, Michigan
1960-1991 - Rabbi - Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Richmond Heights, Missouri
1991-2014 - Rabbi Emeritus - Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel (BSKI) Richmond Heights, Missouri
2013-2014 - Rabbi Emeritus - Kol Rinah University City, Missouri

Wednesday, April 16, 2014
BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus
Reproduced with Permission

Rabbi Benson Skoff, rabbi emeritus of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel (BSKI) congregation and Kol Rinah, who served BSKI for more than 30 years as spiritual leader, died Sunday, April 13. He was 91 and a longtime resident of Richmond Heights.

In 1959, Rabbi Skoff succeeded Rabbi Jacob Mazur at Brith Sholom Congregation, which was located on Delmar Boulevard at the time. In 1960, Brith Sholom merged with Congregation Kneseth Israel, which was then served by Rabbi Sholom Rivkin, who would become chief rabbi of the Vaad Hoeir-United Orthodox Jewish Community later in his career.
After the newly formed Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel congregation purchased land on Linden Avenue in Richmond Heights, the congregation — which had previously been Orthodox — joined the Conservative Movement. 

Rabbi Skoff was senior rabbi of BSKI from 1960 until his retirement in 1991, when he became rabbi emeritus. When BSKI merged with Shaare Zedek under the new name of Kol Rinah, Rabbi Skoff retained his emeritus title. Rabbi Skoff's immediate successor as senior rabbi of BSKI was Rabbi Mordecai Miller, who left BSKI in 2012.

Gary Kodner, past president of BSKI, and active member of Kol Rinah, said Rabbi Skoff was very active with BSKI during Rabbi Mordecai Miller's tenure, and he continued to serve as rabbi emeritus for the newly formed Kol Rinah, up until the time of his passing. "His voice will be remembered for years to come at Kol Rinah," said Kodner, who is also president of the Jewish Light. 

Rabbi Skoff was born in Philadelphia on Jan. 10, 1923, the son of William and Dena Skoff. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor of arts degree in education, and of Columbia University with a master's in education. He received his rabbinic ordination in 1948 from the Conservative movement's Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He served as assistant counselor to Jewish students and director of activities of the Jewish Graduate Society at Columbia University and was a lecturer in classical languages at the University of Texas.

Prior to accepting the pulpit at BSKI, Rabbi Skoff served as rabbi of congregations in Austin, Texas; Duluth, Minn.; and Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Asked early in his career what he was most proud of accomplishing, he said, "Leading the synagogue though the harmonious merger of the two congregations, Brith Sholom and Kneseth Israel, and through the building of a magnificent, million-dollar synagogue edifice."

Respected by his rabbinic colleagues, Rabbi Skoff served as president of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association and as chairman of its Radio and TV Committee. He hosted Jewish-oriented programs for "Confluence," a long-running interfaith show on KMOV (Channel 4), and often hosted "Message of the Rabbi" shows on KTVI (Channel 2) with Rabbi Mark Shook of Temple Israel. 

In a 2009 interview with the Jewish Light, Rabbi Skoff recalled the "power TV has to promote dialogue." He hosted a "Confluence" show with representatives of both sides of the Yugoslav civil war. "These people who were enemies and would not speak to one another came together for this program," he said at the time. "Afterward, they stayed together for awhile, and they were talking to each other. I was amazed."

Throughout his career, Rabbi Skoff benefitted from the wisdom of his wife of 58 years, Rosalind Cohen Skoff, who died in 2004. Rabbi Skoff and his wife were admired for their warm hospitality and for the wisdom they imparted to newlyweds or couples contemplating marriage. Rabbi Skoff would share with such couples the story of the great Rabbi Akiva, who had yet to achieve greatness when he met his wife, Rachel. Through his Rachel's encouragement, Rabbi Akiva became one of the foremost thinkers in his generation, and she became a better person in the process. Rabbi Skoff shared the above story with the Jewish Light in a 2009 interview prior to a special commemorative service honoring his 50 years of association with BSKI. Shirlene Baris, a past president of BSKI, said, "He's been a wonderful rabbi for all of these years. He's been very close to many, many families, and he's done many life-cycle events, not only for couples, but for their children and grandchildren."

Baris said one of the things she admired most about Rabbi Skoff is that, except for the High Holidays, as rabbi emeritus he avoided the pulpit and chose to sit with fellow worshippers. "Every Saturday, he'd be there, but as just another member of the congregation," she said.
Mrs. Baris' husband, Irl Baris, said, "Rabbi Skoff was a model of steady leadership and reassurance" during the aftermath of the murder of BSKI member Gerald Gordon in 1977 by white supremacist killer Joseph Paul Franklin, who was executed for the crime last year.

Rabbi and Mrs. Skoff's love of learning and teaching spread to their family. Two of their five children, Jonine Skoff and Joshua Skoff, were ordained in May 1990, the first brother and sister to be ordained as rabbis at any American rabbinical seminary. Rabbi Jonina Skoff at the time told the Jewish Light, "I learned about the philosophical and rational parts of Judaism from my dad, and the emotional parts from my mom." Joshua Skoff, who had earned a law degree and was a lawyer, decided to become a rabbi after seeing some of his good friends become rabbis. 
"I began to see myself in a similar role," he said. 

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 17, at 3:30 p.m., following visitation at 3 p.m., at the former BSKI building, 1107 Linden Avenue in Richmond Heights. Burial will be at the Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery on Ladue Road.

Survivors include five children, Temima (Alan) Gradman, Avi (Jayne) Skoff, Hillel (Roberta) Skoff, Joshua (Ilana Hoffer) Skoff, and Jonina (Randy) Pritzker; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. END
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Between the boarded-up windows, the space heater fighting a bit of a chill in the sanctuary and the periodic beep of a nearby smoke alarm’s dying battery, it was easy to see that life was winding down for the building at 1107 E. Linden Ave. in Richmond Heights. 

 

But on this Sunday, the 56-year-old structure that had housed Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel for its entire existence had one last lifecycle event to which it would play host — its own funeral.

 

“I know there is a deep sense of pain and loss in leaving this building and in saying goodbye to the spiritual home that we have lived in and loved for decades — for some of us, for our whole lives,” said Rabbi Noah Arnow.

 

Arnow presided over the afternoon ceremony, which took place after the structure’s final morning services. The building has sat mostly unused in the wake of BSKI’s 2013 merger with Shaare Zedek to create the area’s newest synagogue, Kol Rinah. Arnow, who arrived the following year, is now its spiritual leader.

 

The rabbi struck a somber tone and a few tears fell among the dozens who packed the sanctuary to standing-room-only capacity. It was a memorial not just for the edifice but also BSKI itself whose legacy would now continue in the new merged congregation that has been operating since at 829 N. Hanley Road in University City.

 

“It was the product of courage and imagination, hard work and vision,” Arnow said of BSKI. “This congregation contributed so much to the Jewish community and to the greater St. Louis community. I know all of us here are committed to preserving that legacy and bringing it forward into the future.”

 

BSKI concluded with a merger but it was also born of one. Brith Sholom was incorporated in 1908, moving through four locations before finally coming to suburban Richmond Heights from a spot on Delmar Boulevard as it joined with Kneseth Israel, a smaller, younger Clayton congregation with roots in the downtown garment district. In the late 1950s, the late Sholom Rivkin, later chief rabbi of St. Louis, would serve at Kneseth Israel. 

 

The 1960 merger brought many changes besides a new name. Brith Sholom, which began life as an Orthodox synagogue with membership limited to Austro-Hungarian Jews, switched to affiliate with the rapidly growing Conservative movement. It also had a new rabbi, Benson Skoff, who had begun leading the congregation the previous year, as well as the new building  on Linden, another outpost representing the westward demographic shift of Jews out the city’s central core.

 

The dream of that new facility began with Skoff’s predecessor, Rabbi Jacob Mazur. He urged the shul to purchase the land, which soon began construction of the first phase of a new building. The congregation began holding services on Linden with its 1960 completion but that original portion of the building later became the shul’s education center when the structure was expanded to include a new sanctuary a few years later.

 

Skoff led the congregation until assuming the title rabbi emeritus in 1991. He turned the reins over to Rabbi Mordecai Miller, who departed the post in 2013.

 

During the ceremony, which included singing and prayer, congregants were encouraged to share memories of the structure. Some included anecdotes or talk of birthdays and lifecycle events gone by. One former congregant even texted from Israel to note that she still sits on the left side of her Jerusalem synagogue because that’s where she sat at BSKI.

 

Congregant Randi Mozenter recalled how her son and daughter, now adults, had celebrated their bar and bat mitzvah at the shul. 

 

The 57-year-old, now vice-president of personnel at Kol Rinah, said that while she is sad about the building’s closure, she is excited about creating a future with fellow congregants at the new joined institution.

 

“My 23-year-old daughter, who is very wise, said to me, ‘You know, Mom, a building is just a building,’” said the Clayton resident. “‘It’s important and it is grounded in all your memories but your memories, your experiences and your events live within you and they go with you wherever you go.’ ”

 

Carol Battle said she recalled being in the first class of adult women to become a bat mitzvah at the synagogue in 1976. She’s now with Kol Rinah.

 

“You have to go on,” said Battle whose grandfather was a charter member at Brith Sholom.  “I’m sad to see it go but I realize it is a transition. Life is a transition. Everything goes and this too shall pass.”

 

For some, BSKI was a reminder of family. Central Reform congregant Helene Frankel said her memories were of her father for whom she’d said kaddish here.

 

“It was my dad’s spiritual home,” said Frankel, who said her father had been shul president twice. “My dad was very, very devoted to the synagogue as was my maternal grandmother. The family goes back a long way in their connection to BSKI.”

 

Arlene Fox’s connection to BSKI also goes back a long way. She said that hers was the first marriage to take place in the building.

 

“I have more emotion than I really expected to have,” said Fox, who attended the weekend remembrance with her two youngest grandchildren. “I went to Sunday school at Brith Sholom. We got married here. My parents were extremely active here all the time. My mother was 82 years old packing Meals on Wheels here.”

 

Gerald Cohen, a fourth-generation congregant at the synagogue, said it was an emotional day but that it was also time to move forward. He said the thing he’d remember most was the High Holiday services when hundreds would pack the building.

 

“There was such fervor,” said the Kol Rinah member as he clutched an envelope with one of the souvenir tiles being given out from the building’s wall. “There was such emotion and it was just a wonderful feeling.”

 

Unfortunately, not all of the building’s memories were such happy ones. BSKI was the site of tragedy in October 1977 when neo-Nazi Joseph Paul Franklin pumped five shots into an unsuspecting crowd of bar mitzvah-goers, killing 42-year-old Gerald Gordon from a makeshift sniper’s nest behind a telephone pole. Franklin, a serial killer implicated in other racially motivated murders, confessed to the crime in the 1990s. After the trial, he said his only regret was that killing Jews was illegal however, Franklin expressed remorse and renounced anti-Semitism before his 2013 execution by lethal injection.

 

Lifelong member Ralph Graff, 83, recalled that the congregation even recognized the individual who brought the shooter to justice.

 

“We had really a very nice Shabbas where we honored the policeman who finally tracked this guy down,” he remembered. “He got up and spoke.”

 

The formation of Kol Rinah is Graff’s second merger as he was a congregant for the formation of BSKI. In fact, his grandfather, great-uncle and great-grandfather were founding members for legacy congregation Brith Sholom. He said that Kneseth Israel members mostly dwindled after the joining but, thankfully, he doesn’t feel that’s happening this time as both legacy congregations are well-represented in the new entity.

 

“If BSKI is going to survive in any way, it has got to be through the mechanism of Kol Rinah,” he said.

 

Mitch Shenker, Kol Rinah’s president, said the property is being sold. The transaction has not gone through closing yet, but the Richmond Heights City Council recently approved a plan for the land to be developed into a 42-unit townhouse by Atlanta-based Pulte Homes. Meanwhile, Kol Rinah is acquiring a church at the corner of Maryland Avenue and Hanley Road to become its new home.

 

Like others, congregant Gary Kodner, one of the driving forces behind the merger, said he was sad to see the old building go. Growing up nearby, he recalled playing in the construction site as a child and noted that there are commemorative plaques on the wall dating back to his great-grandparents. Still, he said, change is inevitable and the moment was bittersweet. “We’ve all had to leave buildings. We’ve all had to leave structures in our life behind,” he said. “It’s the memories that we are going to take with us.”

 

At the close of the ceremony, Arnow led the crowd outside for the day’s climactic act: the removal of the mezuzah. As attendees filed out the door, they passed a familiar sign on the wall one final time.

 

“If you are the last person out,” it read, “please make sure the lights are off and the door is firmly closed.”

Special to the Jewish Light By David Baugher 
"The synagogue was dark and it was like magic because he has such an outstanding voice," he said. "No chazzan could ever hold a candle to him."

Jewish learning was always the focus for Skoff. It still is. Without that, it's impossible to do what Skoff identifies as the rabbi's primary job, "making mensches."

"The purpose of everything that you do is to cultivate people," Skoff explained. "Our children aren't born good or bad. They are born with potential. The purpose of the synagogue and a rabbi's work is to cultivate the good part that you see in every human being."

For Skoff, whose bachelors and masters degrees, as well as his doctorate, are all in the area of education, learning has always been central to rabbinic work. He still remembers growing up in Philadelphia, where his father, who used to wake him up at 6 a.m. for services, would often read Hebrew from the family's many Judaic books. Later, while Skoff was still a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, he was named principal of his congregation's religious school.

Even as he headed his own synagogue in Austin, Skoff taught Hebrew at the University of Texas. Worried that the classes would leave when he did, he made it a special point to extract a commitment from the incoming rabbi that he would carry them on. In fact, Skoff didn't stop there.

"I even made him promise that when he leaves he made sure that the next head of the congregation would also be able to teach Hebrew," he said.

To this day, the university still has a Hebrew program.

After stints at congregations in Minnesota and Michigan, Skoff finally found a home at Brith Sholom in 1959, the year before it merged with Kneseth Israel.

Meanwhile, his love of Jewish learning has spread to the family he and Rosalind, his wife of 58 years, raised here. Two of his five children are rabbis themselves. Both will speak at Saturday's event and the rest will be in attendance along with many of his dozen grandchildren. He also has two great-grandchildren.

Rosalind Skoff passed away in 2004.

"The family that we built I give her the credit for," he said. "I just helped her."

Skoff has met his fair share of notable people during his time as a rabbi. While visiting Israel, he called Menachem Begin on the phone and found himself invited over for an impromptu one-hour chat at the future prime minister's home.

In another instance, he got the chance to talk to Edward Teller, known as "the father of the hydrogen bomb," while hosting a television program in St. Louis. He confronted Teller with complaints from critics that his work had led only to increased potential for human carnage. Teller's response was immediate - and on target.

"He said that the first time people ever used iron, it was for weapons of war," Skoff recalled. "Afterwards, we learned how to use it for constructive things. I thought that was the right answer. I couldn't argue with that."

Skoff, who headed the St. Louis Rabbinical Association's radio and television committee, said that sometimes even he was surprised with the power TV had to promote dialogue. Once, while hosting Confluence, he spoke with representatives from both sides of the Yugoslavian civil war.

"These people who were enemies and would not speak to one another came together for this program," he said. "Afterwards, they stayed together for awhile and they were talking to each other. I was amazed."

But Skoff's primary work wasn't in the studio. It was in the pulpit where it always came back to the difficult task of mentsh manufacture. When young couples would marry, Skoff would always make it a point to tell them the story of the scholar Akiva, who had yet to achieve greatness when he married his wife Rachel but through her encouragement he became one of the foremost thinkers of his generation and she became a better person in the process. In the same way, Skoff said that he tells newlyweds to look for the best in each other and nurture those qualities. END

 

OBITUARY-Published in St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Apr. 14 to Apr. 17, 2014
Skoff, Rabbi Benson April 13, 2014 Beloved and loving husband of the late Rosalind (nee Cohen); dearest father of Temima (Alan Gradman), Avi (Jayne), Hillel (Roberta), Joshua (Ilana Hoffer Skoff), Jonina (Randy Pritzker); devoted grandfather of Arielle (Jack Berlin), Gideon Gradman, Judah (Becky), Abby, Jonathan Gradman (Lexi Schieber Gradman), Rachel, Jared, Eden, Molly, Rebecca Pritzker, Hannah, Jacob Pritzker; great-grandfather of Benji Berlin, Sammy Berlin, Yuval Gradman; dear brother of Anne (Louis), Herman, Sam, Lee, Haya (Phil) (all deceased). Special uncle and great uncle. Spiritual leader, community leader, friend and advisor. Services: Funeral service Thursday, April 17th 3:30 p.m. at Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Congregation, 1107 Linden Avenue. Visitation Thursday 3:00 p.m. Interment Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE

Rabbi Skoff attended the University of Pennsylvania and would receive his bachelor's, master and doctorate degrees in the field of education.Rabbi Benson Skoff replaced Rabbi Mazur in 1959. Rabbi Skoff had attended the United Conservative Seminary of America in New York. With this merger, the newly formed congregation, Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel joined United Synagogue.

 

Brith Sholom’s beginning dates back further than Kneseth Israel. Brith Sholom was organized on November 2, 1906 and was located at 1020 Franklin Street. It was incorporated on December 8, 1908; and per the “Articles of Agreement,” on this date was “incorporated for the purpose of forming an Austrian-Hungarian conservative Jewish congregation (church) to erect or secure a suitable building wherein to carry on religious worship according to the Jewish orthodox usages connected with a religious Sabbath School and also to secure a cemetery.... Every Israelite can enter the congregation Brith Sholom (Covenant of Peace) and belong to the Synagogue (church) having all the privileges thereto, but only Austrian-Hungarian Israelites and their children can become active members.” Of course, the latter has long since changed to accept Jews of all origins as members.

 

Also stated in the “Articles of Agreement of 1908 was “The congregation will remain conservative (Jewish Orthodox), and the house of worship shall be so arranged so that the ladies and gentlemen shall be separated therein.”  This has also changed as “Articles” also stated, “The Congregation shall reserve the right to amend these articles.”

 

The Rabbi in 1906-1910 was Solomon H. Kohn. Current members, Ralph Graff and Carol Battle are descendants of the original charter members. From 1912-1923, the Rabbi was the Reverend Reverend Adolph A. Rosentreter. He was from Germany where he had served a congregation in Berlin. Dr. Rosentreter had been the first full-time Rabbi at B’nai Amoona, where he remained for 27 years. Reverend Rosentreter served  at B’nai Amoona, then Beth David, Brith Sholom, Beth Hamedrosch Hagodol and finally returned Brith Sholom, where he remained until he died on April 15, 1930. Reverend Rosentreter never received a salary from any of the synagogues as he earned a living in his brother’s Washington National Bank and its successor, The American Trust Company. He was in charge of savings accounts. He did not charge couples for weddings but, instead, gave each couple $5 out of his own pocket to get them started.

 

After the bank was sold, he went into the insurance business; but he never solicited customers - people just knew him and came to him to buy insurance. Reverend Rosentreter was also instrumental in the founding of Jewish Hospital. It is reported that the funeral for him was four blocks long and had six Rabbis present.

 

From 1911-1923, Brith Sholom was located on Glasgow from 1923-27, on Kingshighway and Enright; and from 1927-1959, at 6166 Delmar. (All within the city of St. Louis)

 

Succeeding Reverend Rosentreter was Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur, the father of our own Naomi Silvermintz. He was with the congregation, first on Kingshighway and Enright and then at 6166 Delmar. The first Bat Mitzvah was of Tina Zorensky at the Delmar location. During this period the Rose Fischmann Library was started; Sylvin Robinson organized a baseball team; the sisterhood and men’s club came into being. And, step by step, the late Friday night service came about, Yiddish sermons became English sermons and separate seating became mixed seating.

 

In 1927, 3 years before Rabbi Mazur, arrived our beloved Hebrew School Principal, Jacob M. Elbaum, father of Leah Hakimian. Mr. Elbaum helped organize the Sunday School, Hebrew School and Junior Congregation. Mr. Elbaum “touched” every family, and he was particularly good with children, having prepared many for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. In 1983, Mr. Elbaum moved to Israel, where he remained until his death in 198--. He was buried in Israel.

 

In 1959, Rabbi Benson Skoff joined the congregation - while Brith Sholom was still on Delmar.

 

On June 5, 1960, the new Building at 1107 Linden Avenue in Richmond Heights was dedicated. At that time, Mrs. Jack (Betty) Chapnick was President of the Sisterhood and Paul M. Essman was President of the Men’s Club. Albert L. Felberbaum was General Chairman of the Linden Building Venture and Building Fund.The Campaign Chairmen were Ben Allen, William S. Cohen and Harry L. Gale. In Founders’ Hall is a list of the Founders of the Linden Center.

 

In a street procession, the Torahs were carried from the old places of worship to the chapel of the new center. Mezuzahs were attached to the door posts of the new building. The building was dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur-. He was a humanitarian, civic leader and active in the promotion of inter-faith understanding.

 

Years later, there was a “Retire the Mortgage” party, which almost all the members attended in Founders’ Hall. The occasion was Retirement of the Mortgage” on the building at the Linden address. Marsha Sterneck had gone to the Board of Brith Sholom and asked them if she could form a committee to retire the mortgage. The remaining mortgage was $39,000, so they needed 39 people to give $1,000 a piece. Marsha told the Board all would be collected or none; and all was collected.

 

At the Linden locations, the USY and USI were organized as well as a Boy Scout Troop. Bea and Burton Sorkin organized a singles groups and the Young Conservatives - the doers of the congregation. The Young Conservatives organized the ushers, the minyans, got school parents active and promoted the nursery school, to mention a few of their activities.

 

As the years passed on Linden, a choir emerged (including females), women started to be counted in the minyan and were called to the Torah. In 1991, Rabbi Benson Skoff became Rabbi Emeritus and the Sanctuary was names: Rabbi Benson Skoff Sanctuary. At the same time, Rabbi Mordecai Miller joined the Synagogue and was followed, in 1992, by Cantor Elliot Joel Portner.October 15, 1994 - BSKI celebrated the completion of the beautification of the Synagogue, as a result of the successful Renewal campaign.. At the Gala, Founders, Past Presidents and descendants were recognized. The History of the Synagogue was presented in various forms and were added to the archives of the Synagogue to be used also for the 100th Anniversary in the year 2006.

 

Born in Los Angeles, Lubow was raised in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park. He received a B.A. in political science from Indiana University and worked in the political arena as a special assistant to then-Gov. Edmund “Jerry” Brown of California and the Campaign Treasure for Brown’s re-election campaign.

 

Leaving political life behind, Lubow studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, serving as class valedictorian when he was ordained in 1984. He worked for the Rabbinical Assembly, an international association of Conservative rabbis, before becoming a congregational rabbi and serving congregations in St. Louis, Missouri, Rochester, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Buffalo, before coming to Temple Beth El-Mekor Chayim in 2001.

 

At Temple Beth El, Lubow said he relished the chance to educate the congregation, both adults and children, and being part of the happy and sad moments that marked the lives of members of the congregation. As a faith leader in Cranford, Lubow said he was given the enjoyable chance to learn and meet with residents from all faiths and walks of life.

 

“I will certainly miss my involvement in the interfaith community here in Cranford,” Lubow said.
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Rabbi Miller has served BSKI with honor, passion and distinction for over 20 years. 

Rabbi Miller came to St. Louis from Canton, Ohio where he served as the Rabbi of Shaaray Torah Synagogue for ten years. Prior to his tenure at Shaaray Torah he spent seven years at Temple of Aaron in St. Paul, Minnesota, two years as
Assistant Rabbi and five years as Associate Rabbi. 

 

The son of a Rabbi, Mordecai Miller was born in the United States and moved with his family to South Africa when his father, Rabbi Meyer Miller accepted a pulpit at Temple David in Durban. After receiving his B.A. from the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa, he returned to the United States and entered The Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati where he was ordained in 1974, receiving both B.H.L. and MAH.L. degrees. Rabbi Miller is a member and past-president of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association. He has served on the boards of The Care and Counseling Association, and its clinical services committee, The St. Louis Jewish Light, The Fleischer Jewish Healing Center of
St. Louis and a past member of the Cabinet of the Interfaith Partnership. 

 

Over the years Rabbi Miller has taught various classes in bible and
rabbinics at BSKI and throughout the St. Louis community. He has taught mishna to the sixth grade at Solomon Schechter, offered courses at the Adult Melton Mini-School and the Robert F. Jacobs Adult Institute. 

 

Rabbi Miller and his wife Susan are parents of Sarah and Micah and proud grandparents of Miles Yehonatan.

 

Many years ago Burt Sorkin was putting together a BSKI Klezmer Band and I was contacted. People knew that I played the Trumpet and Burt invited me to be a member. I told him that I was way past my prime and needed another melody instrument to allow me time to rest a bit. I attended the first rehearsal and looked around. 

 

There was an Accordionist, a Guitarist, a Bass player, and a Drummer. And I knew that my playing endurance would really be stretched. Then Rabbi Miller walked in holding a small instrument case.

 

I asked him “What do you play, Rabbi?” I found out that he was a Clarinetist. We began playing a sher. I played the melody and Rabbi Miller was faking harmony to me. Then he played the Clarinet opening to George Gershwin’s Rapsody in Blue. And I realized, here is a player! My wife, Rachel (a Violinist), and I spent some very pleasant years playing next to Rabbi Miller and some other quite talented members of BSKI. I did some arranging for the group and became knowledgeable about music I had never played. Franklin & Rachel Haspiel

 

Rabbi:  am so sad you are leaving after 21 years that I shared with you. I will always have fond memories of our friendship and companionship.  You will be in my thoughts forever.  You are a great and truly dear friend and a great, great teacher. I have learned many things of Jewish law and Torah from your teachings. May G’d give you strength and Mazal and happiness for you, Susan, Sarah, Micha and Miles forever. Good luck in your new Shul. You will be missed. The Radinsky Family

 

Rabbi -Thank you for teaching, inspiring, encouraging, and comforting our family during the last twenty years.  Do know that the good a person does is usually unknown to them.

 

We will never forget your thoughtful words as you addressed Micah and Rachel during their B’nai Mitzvot.  Thank you for encouraging them to dig deeply into the texts of their Parshiot, and for guiding them to a love of learning.   Thank you for joining us for the memorable evening in our Sukkah last fall. It was our privilege to host you!

 

Good luck in California, and may you and Susan enjoy many wonderful years in Sonoma County.  In Friendship, Stewart Shilcrat & Paula Lemerman

“I don’t know if I’ll make it to Heaven, but it sure is nice living next door,” Rabbi Miller is fond of saying. We can tell he loves living in Santa Rosa and serving as Rabbi of Congregation Beth Ami. In fact, when asked what advice he would give a new young rabbi, Rabbi Miller says, “You’ve got to be in love with your congregation.” And he is. And the feeling is mutual.

 

Growing up as an “RK” (rabbi’s kid) in Durban, South Africa, wasn’t that easy, but after earning his BA in philosophy and Hebrew at the University of Natal, Mordecai Miller returned to the US and, with the encouragement of his father, enrolled in Hebrew Union College. Since his father, Rabbi Meyer Miller, was a Reform Rabbi, Mordecai gravitated toward that branch of Judaism. He wasn’t entirely certain of his path, since his other great loves were mathematics and music. A leave of absence convinced him that he had left his true calling behind, and luckily the seminary took him back. This was fortuitous personally as well as career-wise because his future wife, Susan, was working at the school. They were introduced by mutual friends and have been together ever since.

 

A seminary professor required that the students become familiar with traditional liturgy as well as Reform, to understand the range of Jewish custom. Following his professor’s edict to daven the traditional prayers daily for a month, Mordecai fell in love with traditional liturgy. By the time he graduated with a BHL and MAHL and was ordained, he realized that his spiritual home was in Conservative Judaism. He was thrilled to secure a position as assistant Rabbi at a Conservative congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he served happily for seven years. There followed ten years in Canton, Ohio, and twenty-one years in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

His excellent Hebrew came from an early childhood visit to his mother’s family in Israel. That foundation was cemented by the fact that his parents spoke to each other in Hebrew when they didn’t want him to understand. When they realized he understood every word, they switched to Yiddish, and now he knows Yiddish very well, too.

 

As a teen, he’d read the Bible on the long bus rides to school. Later, at HUC, he learned Talmud and Midrash, studies which he enjoys to this day.

 

While the duties of a rabbi are many and varied, Rabbi Miller feels his chief task is to bring comfort into people’s lives. Another very important aspect of the job is connecting people to the deeper meaning of life and to our divine Creator, and making tradition alive and relevant for people.

 

What was the first thing he loved about Beth Ami? The MiSheberach envelopes. It’s a custom here to place envelopes in back of the sanctuary, addressed to those who are ill in the congregation. Congregants pick up these envelopes after services, add a personal note, and mail them. This custom “made Beth Ami seem like such a caring congregation. And I haven’t been disappointed.”

 

Rabbi Miller finds something spiritual about the area, with its hills, ocean, and magnificent views. “It has a wildness to it.” He frequently finds himself saying the verse, “mah gadlu ma’asecha Adonai, koolam b’chochmah aseeta. How manifold are Your works, oh Adonai, with wisdom You created them all.”

 

Among the things Rabbi Miller enjoys at Beth Ami are the spirited, participatory davening, the wonderful Shabbat potlucks and dinners—“they hold the community together”—and the many different types of people all working together.

 

Rabbi Miller and his wife, Susan Miller, shep nachas from the fact that both their children are involved in Jewish life. Their daughter Sarah, living here in Santa Rosa with her son, Miles, is USY regional director. Their son, Micah, living in LA with his wife, April (Aviva), studies at the Ziegler Rabbinical School. Micah hopes to become the third-generation Rabbi Miller.

 

In his free time, Rabbi Miller enjoys studying Jewish texts, reading, singing, playing the clarinet, cooking, and baking. Visitors and members passing by his open office door love hearing him practicing clarinet in anticipation of jammin’ with the band at Friday night dinners.

 

Beth Ami appreciates Rabbi Miller’s warm, welcoming, and inclusive manner; his appreciation of the people around him; and his emphasis on respectful communication. Oh, and his jokes.

 

A guy goes into a restaurant and says to the waiter, “I’d like a chicken sandwich.” The waiter replies, “Sir, I’m afraid we’re out of chicken.” The guy says, “Well, in that case, I’d like a turkey sandwich.” The waiter responds, “Sir, if we had any turkey, you would have had a chicken sandwich.” –by Esther Baruch
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In the early 1940's, Jewish merchants along the wholesale garment district on Washington Avenue organized a daily minyan in a small office space in the area. Eventually that became congregation Kneseth Israel and, led by Nolan DeWoskin, it relocated to Rosebury in Clayton and later to South Hanley with Rabbi Sholom Rivkin as the spiritual leader until its merger with Brith Sholom in 1959. Now known as Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel, the merged congregation moved to its present location on Linden Avenue in Richmond Heights under the leadership of Rabbi Benson Skoff who was succeeded in 1991 by its current rabbi, Mordecai Miller.
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On Sunday, Sept. 7 at BSKI, the congregation will celebrate its 100th anniversary at a gala event. In keeping with the theme of "honoring the past with a vision for the future," the honorees will be the past presidents of the merged congregations. Serving as honorary chairpersons are Bonnie and Phil Levens, Naomi and Saul Silvermintz (she is the daughter of the beloved Rabbi Mazur) and Rabbi Benson Skoff all of whom, according to co-chair of the gala Susan Cort "have provided outstanding leadership and commitment to the congregation."

 

The celebration will take place at BSKI beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and dinner for sponsors and patrons to be followed at 7:30 p.m. by a program honoring past presidents; a comedy presentation by hilariously funny comedian Joel Chasnoff; and concluding with a dessert buffet. Planned by Susan, her co-chair Marcia Sokol-Anderson and a huge committee, this will be a fun-filled evening of memories, fantastic foods, great company and a celebration of the past 100 years of BSKI. The dinner menu, I was told, will feature food popular from the past century such as Old Country foods from Hungary and Eastern Europe, with a bit of a modern twist emphasizing Israeli and Mediterranean dishes and today's international favorites. When I asked Susan what the dishes of the past would be, she said "You know, comfort foods from past generations."

 

Joel Chasnoff (no relation to the local Chasnoff family as closely as I have ascertained) is described as the Jewish comedian who's redefining Jewish comedy. His act is based on real Judaism and Jewish experiences -- such as his nine years in Jewish Day School, his service in the Israeli Defense Forces, and family Shabbat dinners. His resume is daunting as he has entertained in seven countries around the globe at some of the world's premier comedy venues as well as countless synagogues, colleges and clubs in the U.S. A portion of all revenue from Joel's performances and sales of his CD Hanukah Guilt is donated to charities promoting humanitarian causes.

 

JERUSALEM - Funeral services were held recently on the Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem for Jacob Elbaum, the noted veteran St. Louis Jewish educator. 

Mr. Elbaum, who was 82, died of heart.failure on Monday, Dec. 28, in Bersheba, Israel. He had made aliyah to Israel in February 1983. 

 

Jacob Elbaum was born in Safed, Palestine (now Israel) in 1905. He moved to St. Louis in 1926, and served as principal of the Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Hebrew School from that year until 1970.

 

In addition w serving as prin­cipal of BSKI Hebrew School, Mr. Elbaum taught many genera­tions of students in St. Louis for an educational career that spanned over 56 years. In December 1982, in recognition of his contributions to Jewish education, Mr. Elbaum received the Jewish Federation's Fred A. Goldstein memorial Service  Award for Outstanding Jewish Communal Service. 

 

Mr. Elbaum was also active in numerous other Jewish causes. He served as president  of the St. Louis Council of the Jewish National Fund; president­ of the Hebrew Language and Cultural Association; secretary of -BSKI Congregation; presi­dent of the Hebrew Teachers Union and a long-time volunteer for State of Israel Bonds. 

 

Upon his aliyah to Israel, BSKI established a woodland in his honor in the Jewish Educa­tors forest in Jerusalem. 

 

The family requests that con­tributions in Mr. Elbaum's memory be sent to BSKI Con­gregation, 1101 Linden, St. Louis, Mo. 63117. 

 

Survivors are daughters Leah Hakimian of St. Louis and Ruth Shane of Beersheba; brothers Paul Elbaum, Kansas City Mo. and Shimon Oelbaum: Netanya, Israel and grand­children David, Michael and Lori Makovsky; Rina, Debra, Karen and Aliza Hakimian; Yaron, Chava, Ariel, Michal and Noa Shane.

 

Funeral services for Harvey Sachs, a show salesman for 40 years and executive director of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel for 16 years. Muriel was at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, Chesterfield.

 

Mr. Sacks 86 died Thursday September 11, 1980, at Jewish Hospital. A native of New York City, he came to St. Louis in 1916 and joined his brother Irving, in the former Shoe Styles, Inc. in the late 1920s. Mr Sachs traveled the midwest extensively for more than 40 years, particularly in Illinois and Indiana. He retired form the show business in 1962 and worked full time as executive director of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel until his retirement in 1978. he became Director Emeritus in 1978 and worked part time until being hospitalized in July, 1980.

 

Survivors include: his daughter, Sally Enoch, bother Ben, and sister Lillian DeWoskin, sister Jennie Fleschman, and four grand daughters. His wife Belle died in 1964.

 

Milton A. Rossner has been appointed executive director of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel. Rossner has been affiliated with the congregation for 20 years, having been a member of the BSKI choir and scout master of BSKI Scout Troop 117 for four years. He has been active in Young Couples Club (YCC), Men’s Club and Central States Regional of the National Federation of Men’s Clubs. he has also held the office of Vice President of BSKI. harvey Sachs has been named Exec. Director Emeritus of BSKI and will be in charge of daily minyan and Sabbath and holiday services.

Rabbis/Hazzans
Brith Sholom Rabbis
1908-1910 – Dr. Solomon H. Kohn
1908-1910 – Reverend S. Jacoby, Chazzan
Dec. 29, 1912 – 1930 – Rabbi Adolf A. Rosentreter
1930-1958 – Rabbi Jacob R. Mazur
Kneseth Israel Rabbi
1956-1959 – Rabbi Sholom Rivkin
Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Rabbis/Hazzans
1959-1991 – Rabbi Benson Skoff, Ph. D.
1987-1990 – Rabbi Akiba Lubow, Associate Rabbi
1991-2012 – Rabbi Mordecai Miller
1975-Cantor Irving Grossman
1982- Cantor Paul Stone
1984- Cantor Gary Zener
1985-Cantor Aryeh Katzir
1959-1990 Nolan DeWoskin, Morris Sapot (volunteers)
1992-2005 – Hazzan Elliot Joel Portner

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Kneseth Israel Presidents
1934-1936 – Isaac Goodman
1936-1937 – Nathan Greenberg
1938-1940 – Moses Aaron Teitelbaum
1941-1943 – Gus Katcher
1943-1945 – Harry Feldman
1946-1947 – Nolan DeWoskin
1947-1949 – Ben Hoffman
1950-1952 – Sherman Blustein
1953-1954 – Leroy Kopolow
1954-1955 – Joseph Goldman
1956-1958 – Dr. William Parker
1959-1961 – Paul M. Essman

Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Presidents
1961-1963 – Albert Felberbaum
1963-1966 – Paul M. Essman
1966-1969 – Michael Cutter
1969-1972 – Mymen S. Gale
1972-1976 – Maurice J. Frankel
1976-1978 – Irl B. Baris
1978-1980 – David Samuels
1980-1982 – Yusef Hakimian
1982-1984 – Shirlene Baris
1984-1986 – Alan I. Berger
1986-1988 – Dr. Phillip L. Gould
1988-1994 – Vernon M. Mendel
1994-1996 – Gerald Cohen
1996-1999 – Dr. Ralph J. Graff
1999-2002 – Margaret E. Israel
2002-2003 – Gary A. Kodner
2003-2006 – Paula Hamvas
2006-2008 – Toby E. Don
2008-2011 – Richard B. Kodner
2011-2013 – Susan Cort

Kol Rinah Presidents
2013-2014 – Susan Cort
2015-2016 – MItchell Shenker
2017-2020 – Dr. Randi Mozenter
2021-2022 - Gary A. Kodner
2023-2024 – Barbara Shamir

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